Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. An electronic device, comprising: a proximity detector; a camera; and a controller, comprising logic, at least partly including hardware logic, to: receive, from the proximity sensor, an indication that an object approaching the electronic device is within a predetermined distance while the electronic device is in a first low-power state, and in response to the indication, to: activate the camera on the electronic device while the electronic device remains in a low-power state; determine whether an image input to the camera is a human while the electronic device remains in a low-power state; and determine whether an image input to the camera is a face of an authorized user of the electronic device, and in response to a determination that the image is not the face of an authorized user of the electronic device, to: present an unrecognized user message on a display of the electronic device; and present a manual login option on the display.
An electronic device detects and recognizes users by using a proximity detector to sense an approaching object while in a low-power state. When an object is close, the device activates its camera, still in a low-power state, to determine if the image is a human. If a human is detected, the device then checks if the image is of an authorized user's face. If the face isn't recognized, the device displays an "unrecognized user" message and provides a manual login option on the screen. The control logic is at least partly implemented in hardware.
2. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the controller further comprises logic, at least partly including hardware logic which, in response to a determination that the image input is a human, is to: transition the electronic device back from the first low-power state to a second power state.
The electronic device described above also includes logic to transition from the low-power state to a normal operating power state once a human is detected by the camera. The device wakes up from its low-power mode when it sees a person approaching. The control logic for transitioning from low to normal power states is at least partly implemented in hardware.
3. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the controller further comprises logic, at least partly including hardware logic which, in response to a determination that the image is a human, is to: activate at least one face-recognition module on the electronic device.
The electronic device described in the first claim also activates a facial recognition module when the camera detects a human face. This facial recognition component is used to identify the user and determine if they are authorized to access the device. The control logic for the face recognition module is at least partly implemented in hardware.
4. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the controller further comprises logic, at least partly including hardware logic, to determine whether an image input to the camera is a face of an authorized user of the electronic device, and in response to a determination that the image is the face of an authorized user of the electronic device, to: allow the authorized user to access the electronic device.
The electronic device, after detecting a human and analyzing the camera image, allows access to the device if the image matches an authorized user's face. The device uses face recognition to grant access. If the captured image matches a stored profile of an authorized user, the device unlocks and provides full functionality. The control logic for determining authorized users is at least partly implemented in hardware.
5. The electronic device of claim 4 , wherein the controller further comprises logic, at least partly including hardware logic, to: detect that an operating system on the electronic device has gone idle due to inactivity, and in response thereto, to receive an input from the proximity sensor and the camera.
The electronic device automatically enters the user detection process after the operating system has been idle. The proximity sensor and camera are only activated to detect a new user when the device has been inactive. This feature conserves power by only engaging the user detection system when it's needed.
6. The electronic device of claim 5 , wherein the electronic device further comprises logic, at least partly including hardware logic, to: determine, from the proximity sensor, an indication that there is not an object within a predetermined distance, and in response to the indication, to: transition the electronic device from an operating power state to the first low-power state.
When the operating system has been idle and the device is using the proximity sensor and camera to detect a user, the device transitions back to a low-power state if the proximity sensor no longer detects an object nearby. If no one is close to the device, it returns to its energy-saving state. The control logic for transitioning to low-power is at least partly implemented in hardware.
7. The electronic device of claim 5 , wherein the electronic device further comprises logic, at least partly including hardware logic, to: receive, from the proximity sensor, an indication that there is an object within a predetermined distance; determine whether an image input to the camera is not a human, and in response to a determination that the image is not a human, to: transition the electronic device from an operating power state to the first low-power state.
The electronic device transitions back to a low-power state if, after detecting an object within proximity after the device has been idle, the camera determines that the object is not a human. The device goes back to sleep if it detects something close, but that something isn't a person. The control logic for transitioning to low-power is at least partly implemented in hardware.
8. The electronic device of claim 5 , wherein the electronic device further comprises logic, at least partly including hardware logic, to: receive, from the proximity sensor, an indication that there is an object within a predetermined distance; determine whether an image input to the camera is not a human, and in response to a determination that the image is not a human, to: transition the electronic device from an operating power state to the first low-power state.
The electronic device transitions back to a low-power state if, after detecting an object within proximity after the device has been idle, the camera determines that the object is not a human. The device goes back to sleep if it detects something close, but that something isn't a person. The control logic for transitioning to low-power is at least partly implemented in hardware.
9. The electronic device of claim 5 , wherein the electronic device further comprises logic, at least partly including hardware logic, to: receive, from the proximity sensor, an indication that there is an object within a predetermined distance; determine whether an image input to the camera is a face of an authorized user of the electronic device, and in response to a determination that the image is the face of an authorized user of the electronic device, to: allow the authorized user to access the electronic device.
If the camera detects an authorized user's face after the device has been idle and detected an object within proximity, the electronic device allows that user to access the device. The device unlocks and provides full access if it sees the face of a known, authorized user. The control logic for allowing user access is at least partly implemented in hardware.
10. A controller, comprising logic, at least partly including hardware logic, to: receive, from a proximity sensor, an indication that an object approaching an electronic device coupled to the controller is within a predetermined distance while the electronic device is in a first low-power state, and in response to the indication, to: activate a camera on the electronic device while the electronic device remains in a low-power state; determine whether an image input to the camera is a human while the electronic device remains in a low-power state; and determine whether an image input to the camera is a face of an authorized user of the electronic device, and in response to a determination that the image is not the face of an authorized user of the electronic device, to: present an unrecognized user message on a display of the electronic device; and present a manual login option on the display.
A controller, possibly implemented in hardware, powers on a camera from a low power state, triggered by a proximity sensor detecting an object approaching the electronic device. The controller determines if the image captured by the camera contains a human presence. It also determines if the face is that of an authorized user. If the face isn't recognized, the device displays an "unrecognized user" message and presents a manual login option on the screen.
11. The controller of claim 10 , wherein the controller further comprises logic, at least partly including hardware logic which, in response to a determination that the image input is a human, is to: transition the electronic device back from the first low-power state to a second power state.
The controller also transitions the electronic device from the low-power state to a second, higher power state if the camera detects a human. The device wakes up to full operating power when a person is detected. The control logic for the face recognition module is at least partly implemented in hardware.
12. The controller of claim 10 , wherein the controller further comprises logic, at least partly including hardware logic which, in response to a determination that the image is a human, is to: activate at least one face-recognition module on the electronic device.
The controller also activates a facial recognition module on the electronic device when the camera detects a human face. This module is used to specifically identify the detected person. The control logic for the face recognition module is at least partly implemented in hardware.
13. The controller of claim 10 , wherein the controller further comprises logic, at least partly including hardware logic, to determine whether an image input to the camera is a face of an authorized user of the electronic device, and in response to a determination that the image is the face of an authorized user of the electronic device, to: allow the authorized user to access the electronic device.
The controller then analyzes the camera input to determine if the image is of an authorized user. If a match is found, the controller allows the user to access the electronic device. The control logic for allowing authorized user access is at least partly implemented in hardware.
14. The controller of claim 13 , wherein the controller further comprises logic, at least partly including hardware logic, to: detect that an operating system on the electronic device has gone idle due to inactivity, and in response thereto, to receive an input from the proximity sensor and the camera.
The controller manages power and user detection by first detecting when the operating system has been idle due to inactivity. Then, it receives input from the proximity sensor and the camera to detect a user. This conserves power by only activating the camera and sensor when needed. The control logic for detecting user inactivity is at least partly implemented in hardware.
15. The controller of claim 14 , wherein the electronic device further comprises logic, at least partly including hardware logic, to: determine, from the proximity sensor, an indication that there is not an object within a predetermined distance, and in response to the indication, to: transition the electronic device from an operating power state to the first low-power state.
After the controller detects that the operating system has been idle and is using proximity sensor/camera to find a user, if the proximity sensor indicates that there is no object within a certain distance, the electronic device transitions from an operating power state to a low-power state. If no one is near, go back to sleep. The control logic for transitioning to low-power is at least partly implemented in hardware.
16. The controller of claim 14 , wherein the electronic device further comprises logic, at least partly including hardware logic, to: receive, from the proximity sensor, an indication that there is an object within a predetermined distance; determine whether an image input to the camera is not a human, and in response to a determination that the image is not a human, to: transition the electronic device from an operating power state to the first low-power state.
After the controller detects that the operating system has been idle and is using proximity sensor/camera to find a user, the electronic device transitions back to a low-power state if the proximity sensor detects an object but the camera determines it is not a human. The device reverts to low power mode if the object sensed is not human. The control logic for transitioning to low-power is at least partly implemented in hardware.
17. The controller of claim 14 , wherein the electronic device further comprises logic, at least partly including hardware logic, to: receive, from the proximity sensor, an indication that there is an object within a predetermined distance; determine whether an image input to the camera is not a human, and in response to a determination that the image is not a human, to: transition the electronic device from an operating power state to the first low-power state.
After the controller detects that the operating system has been idle and is using proximity sensor/camera to find a user, the electronic device transitions back to a low-power state if the proximity sensor detects an object but the camera determines it is not a human. The device reverts to low power mode if the object sensed is not human. The control logic for transitioning to low-power is at least partly implemented in hardware.
18. The controller of claim 14 , wherein the electronic device further comprises logic, at least partly including hardware logic, to: receive, from the proximity sensor, an indication that there is an object within a predetermined distance; determine whether an image input to the camera is a face of an authorized user of the electronic device, and in response to a determination that the image is the face of an authorized user of the electronic device, to: allow the authorized user to access the electronic device.
After the controller detects that the operating system has been idle and is using proximity sensor/camera to find a user, if the camera detects the face of an authorized user, the electronic device grants access to that user. The device unlocks and provides full access if it sees the face of a known, authorized user. The control logic for allowing user access is at least partly implemented in hardware.
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September 19, 2017
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